D&D 5E What is a Vaati?

[Fralex]

I've reached a sort of conundrum here. I know some D&D creatures are based on very obscure monsters, but never has one so completely stumped me and my internet searches before. The Vaati are a group of air elementals, yeah? Where does that name come from? I'd just write it off as a made-up word, except it appears in ONE other game franchise... completely unaffiliated with WotC, but in exactly the same context. Even the weird, foreign-looking spelling is identical.

Does anyone out there know where the name comes from? It's driving me baati.
God that was a stupid joke to make.

 

[The Grassy Gnoll]

Serious answer, probably derived from Ayurvedic healing, vata (I've seen it as vaat) refers to air/space.

http://www.eattasteheal.com/ayurveda101/eth_bodytypes.htm

Now you know you can celebrate with a paati.

 

[ehenning]

For specifics, look at the module "Rod of Seven Parts" where they are described in detail. It is an AD&D 2nd edition module.